cessary. Few informers, however, would have given
me the advantage, and I thank you: so far I am indebted to you. None
the less the shame of the informer remains!"

"Your lordship's judgment of me is no more to me than that of yon rook
up there."

"You doubt my honour?" said Forgue with a sneer.

"I do. I doubt you. You do not know yourself. Time will show. For God's
sake, my lord, look to yourself! You are in terrible danger."

"I would rather do wrong for love than right for fear. I scorn such
threats."

"Threats, my lord!" echoed Donal. "Is it a threat to warn you that your
very consciousness may become a curse to you? that to know yourself may
be your hell? that you may come to make it your first care to forget
what you are? Do you know what Shakspere says of Tarquin--

Besides, his soul's fair temple is defaced;
To whose weak ruins muster troops of cares,
To ask the spotted princess how she fares--?"

"Oh, hang your preaching!" cried Forgue, and turned away.

"My lord," said Donal, "if you will not hear me, there are preachers
you must."

"They will not be quite so long-winded then!" Forgue answered.

"You are right," said Donal; "they will not."

All Forgue's thoughts were now occupied with the question how with
least danger Eppy and he were to meet. He did not contemplate
treachery. At this time of his life he could not have respected
himself, little as was required for that, had he been consciously
treacherous; but no man who in love yet loves himself more, is safe
from becoming a traitor: potentially he is one already. Treachery to
him who is guilty of it seems only natural self-preservation; the man
who can do a vile thing is incapable of seeing it as it is; and that
ought to make us doubtful of our judgments of ourselves, especially
defensive judgments. Forgue did not suspect himself--not although he
knew that his passion had but just regained a lost energy, revived at
the idea of another man having the girl! It did not shame him that he
had begun to forget her, or that he had been so roused to fresh desire.
If he had stayed away six months, he would practically have forgotten
her altogether. Some may think that, if he had devotion enough to
surmount the vulgarities of her position and manners and ways of
thought, his love could hardly be such as to yield so soon; but Eppy
was not in herself vulgar. Many of even humbler education than she are
far less really vulgar than some in th